Tendon reflex

- The Golgi tendon reflex, which is a reflex to extensive tension on a tendon; it functions to protect musculoskeletal integrity. The sensory receptors for this reflex are anatomically located deep in the tendon, while the sensory receptors for the MSR are inside the muscle. Therefore, the Golgi tendon reflex can be referred to as the deep tendon reflex. ## Testing As wrongfully referring to a muscle stretch reflex, to test the reflex, tap on the tendon. In a healthy individual the intensity on both sides is equal. This means that the connections between the spinal cord and the muscles are undamaged. Main spinal nerve roots involved: - Biceps (C5, C6) - Brachioradialis (C6) - Triceps (C7) - Patellar (L4) - Achilles tendon (S1) ## Functions of Golgi tendon reflex The Golgi tendon reflex is a response to extensive tension on a tendon. It helps avoid strong muscle contractions which could tear the tendon from either the muscle or bone. In sports, quick movements can damage the tendon before the reflex can occur. The tendon reflex also helps spread the workload more evenly over the entire muscle by preventing "muscle fibers connected with overstimulated tendon organs so that their contraction is more comparable to the contraction of the rest of the muscle." ## References ## References 1. [http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/tendon+reflex TheFreeDictionary > tendon reflex] Citing: Dorland's Medical Dictionary for Health Consumers. 2007 2. [http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/tendon+reflex dictionary.com > tendon reflex] Citing: Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, 2007 and The American Heritage Stedman's Medical Dictionary 2002 3. [http://neuromuscular.wustl.edu/mother/reflex.html wustl.edu > tendon reflex] Citing: wustl.edu. REFLEXES: Tendon & Other. 2008. 4. [http://www.enotes.com/reflex-tests-reference/reflex-tests-172354 eNotes > tendon reflex] Citing: Encyclopedia of Nursing and Allied Health. 2002 5. [https://www.clinicalkey.com/#!/content/book/3-s2.0-B9780323392761000639?indexOverride=GLOBAL Evidence-Based Physical Diagnosis; McGee; Chapter 63. 2018] 6. (2000). "Demonstrating the Stretch Reflex: A Mechanical Model". *The American Biology Teacher*. 7. Saladin, Kenneth S. Anatomy & Physiology: the Unity of Form and Function. Dubuque: McGraw-Hill, 2012. Print.{{page needed. (May 2015) ::callout[type=info title="Wikipedia Source"] This article was imported from [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tendon_reflex) and is available under the [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Content has been adapted to SurfDoc format. Original contributors can be found on the [article history page](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tendon_reflex?action=history). ::